Inspired Tablescapes

We already shared with you designer Lo Bjurulf's ikea inspired tablescape and thought we'd show you some other sets she's designed as well. Her tablescapes have been making the rounds and it's easy to see why. They're fantastical, lived in, and not overly perfect. Half eaten cupcakes, jackets thrown about, blankets spread out. It's what a party actually looks like...










images via Lo Bjurulf

Blades of Grass

image via jessica johnston photography

We've loved this tablescape from Anjanee and Jon's wedding for a while now. It's clean, modern, fresh, and has a zen-like feel to it. One element easy to replicate would be the grass - it's such a simple touch that can be incorporated into so many different types of tablescapes.

Here's one easy DIY way to incorporate grass into your overall look. But really, even just little pots of grass interspersed with potted moss along a long table would look great. The possibilities are endless...

Potted Plants

Lately we've seen potted plants popping (say that two times fast!) up all over the place. They've been used for everything from centerpieces to favors - we've even seen them all lined up down an aisle. If nothing else, you can just scatter them around the reception or ceremony area to create intimate little spaces. And they evoke such a sweet, midsummer's garden mood.

Best of all, they can be cost effective - cheaper than flowers, can be used after the wedding, and if you are a real planner, you can start planting them months before the big day for some real savings. What could be better than that?



top image via Rebecca Thuss, bottom left via A Bryan Photo (from Megan and Mihir's Wedding), bottom middle and right via stylemepretty

There's a great DIY tutorial for the pots of moss shown below on the project wedding blog and the best part is they're only $2 each! Wouldn't they look great all lined up as favors?



image via stylemepretty

P.S. We've got spring fever these days, and can't help thinking about flowers and pretty gardens, so there'll be more posts about blooms and greens coming your way this week. Especially ones about getting your hands in that soil!

A Grand Exit

Let's start off the week with a countdown of all the ways you can make a grand exit!


You could drive off in a cute vw bug

There's always the option of a sendoff in a fancy car (complete with fireworks)

Or you could take a more leisurely ride in a dainty horse and carriage

While we're at it, why not ride off in a quirky little old school rickshaw like this bride.

Or a big red dump truck!
So we're curious, do you guys have big plans for your getaway? And will you be decorating whatever you're riding? Do tell, we'd love to know.

images via greenweddingshoes, aira photography, KaBloom Studios, Anna Kuperberg, ourlaboroflove

White and Origami

Came across this all white origami tablescape by stylist Lo Bjurulf on The Sweetest Occasion. Lo was inspired by the upcoming wedding of the Swedish crown princess and collaborated with ikea (yes, all the items are from ikea!) to create this clean look.

There's something to be said for having a pared down all white theme...







Love the fact that this look is actually attainable, all you need is a bit of hard work and a trip to ikea. It would be perfect for anything from a modern bridal shower, to a glamour-filled rehearsal dinner, or even an intimate reception.

P.S. We just realized you can also check out Green Wedding Shoes for more about this tablescape!

Happy Friday!

Flipping through the latest Anthropologie catalogue, which was beautifully shot in India, we came across some wedding inspiration that we wanted to share with you.


The blues and yellows of the hammock and swing would be charming at a garden wedding (especially for a mayoun/sangeet/mehndi). Does anybody else remember all those 80's Indian movies where swings like that were in every song??

An intricate tray for your haldi/mehndi..

Marigolds dangling in rows as a possible backdrop for a photobooth!

Have a great weekend everyone! FYI...doesn't a part of you think all of this stuff is actually a lot cheaper than what they're retailing it for?

A Real Baby Shower

Last week we threw a baby shower for our lovely friend Roberta, and thought we'd share some pictures with all of you. We had brunch, with all sorts of yummy pastries and desserts, played games like match the celebrity baby and mom, and opened lots of presents. All in all, a good time was had.



We had guests write well wishes and advice on cue cards, and then gathered them all in a box for Roberta to have as a keepsake.


Flowers were tucked into teacups and pink glasses and scattered all along a runner.


There were presents for the winners of the games, and fruit tarts wrapped up in craft paper as favors (the glaze seeped through the craft paper but we just made the executive decision that it added to the look)!


Pretty pink bunting above the pastries and fruit table, and delicious food (especially the pomme frites) courtesy of Sel de la Terre.



Finally, we had letters in an enclave that spelled out baby (we were going to cover the letters with pretty paper, but we got lazy). And of course, lots and lots of flowers (we may have gone a little overboard but the people at Fresco Flowers were just so great to work with).

So many of these elements could work equally well for a bridal shower, don't you think?

To see more pictures of the shower and the baby mama, as well as us getting everything ready, visit our behind the scenes album on our facebook page.

Vendors:
Venue: Sel de la Terre
Flowers: Fresco Flowers
Bunting: Simply Swell on Etsy
Teacups and Pink Glasses: Anthropologie
Invitations and Baby Letters: Paper Source
Favors: fruit tarts from Shaws
Photography: collective effort

Chairs, Sofas, Anything...

image via designsponge

Speaking of chairs, we are digging the look of the carelessly draped pashmina on the sofa above. Since many of you probably have pretty fabric somewhere around the house, this would be such a quick and easy way to decorate chairs, or even other furniture, on the big day (especially chairs on mandaps/stages).

Can't wait to see how this look works on all the chairs around a table (we're definitely going to try it for our next dinner party!)

More Than Just A Chair

left image by anna kuperberg photography via snippet and ink; right image by jose villa photography via oh happy day!

Sometimes embellishments on chairs can add just the right touch to the overall look of the room. It doesn't have to be extravagant, even something as simple as paper cranes in a bright, punchy color or streamers hanging from the back can do wonders.

And you don't have to do it to every chair, it can be used as a sort of designator for where the bride and groom will be sitting...

p.s. - don't the paper cranes look like haars/jai malas? definitely a good place to put the garlands when you don't want to wear them during the reception

Inspired By India: Nina and Russell

Today we wanted to share a lovely California wedding inspired by India - and captured to perfection by Jonathan Canlas Photography. Nina and Russell wanted to incorporate elements from their travels to India, as well as some Moroccan influences, and the result is a charming and utterly whimsical wedding.

There are so many incredible details in this wedding that would be perfect for a South Asian wedding, here are some of our favorites.




Hand crafted pillows covered in sari fabric and scattered about on benches; lanterns full of lush flowers lining the aisle/hanging from the ceiling; and sitar and tabla music accompanying Nina as she walks down the aisle.


Rich, jewel-toned flowers all down the tables and floating in fountains as well as ornate rugs artfully strewn about, and covered in petals.


And finally, one last look at the happy couple and their dreamy garden wedding.

Congratulations Nina and Russell! And a big thank you to Jonathan for sharing the photographs, you can check out more of his work on his blog.

Venue: SmogShoppe
Bride's Gown / Shoes: Monique Lhuillier / Christian Louboutin
Hair / Make-Up: Tami Jensen at Prive Salon / KC Fee
Groom's Suit / Tie / Shoes: Jil Sander / International Silks and Woolen / Rag & Bone
Planning: Beth Helmstetter
Flowers: Holly Flora
Moroccan Decor Rentals: Mosaik
Other Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Catering / Dessert: Paper Palate / Vanilla Bakeshop
Pillows: The Sewing Lounge
Pillow Fabric: ABC Carpet & Home.

Balloons As Decor

Lately we've seen balloons popping up everywhere - not just as props for engagement shoots, but also as decor. And couples are getting really creative with the way they incorporate them into the look of their event. Best of all, they are so so budget friendly.

So we thought we'd collect some of the ways we've seen balloons used really well as decor - be it on dessert tables, all lined up down the aisle, as props for escort cards, tied to the backs of chairs, or even hanging from ceilings (lanterns might work better in this case).






images via party perfect, this is glamorous, greenweddingshoes, theknottybride, greenweddingshoes, party perfect, lucky me, lovelorn unicorn

At the same time, we realize that balloons also have the potential to become kind of kitschy and prom circa 1980, so here are some observations we've made that might help ensure the look works.

- the larger the balloon, the more impact it has
- when in doubt about using color, know that you can't go wrong with white
- balloons really seem to pop in stark, industrial locations
- they also add a fun, playful touch to outdoor events
- and finally, as long as you love it, go for it (because sometimes, against all odds, loud, bright bunches can add just the right touch)